"Oh for a horse with wings!"
I wish I could fly over the next 10 months and see if the next season - our 7th - is going to be successful. A part of me already knows it will be, in that we have put in place an amazing set of scripts. My job as I see it is to pour as much love in to this season as I possibly can. By that I mean support, cheerlead, send energy toward, show up, strategize, and mostly do my job as an Artistic Director. I couldn't do it without the support of Staci Robbins, Jessica Quindlen, Amy Bourque - our staff, and most importantly the Founders: Tom Schuch, Vic Browder, Kristín Hansen with a huge assist by Steve Barberio.
We've been doing 3 shows a season for the last 6 years. We landed on 3 shows because we felt we needed the time between each show to prepare for the next one. I'm so delighted that we finally feel we have the juice to commit to 5 shows. My favorite part of doing 5 shows is being able to open our doors to actors we've never worked with before. I can't wait to share the artistic ensemble with you this year. There are over 15 new folks working with us this year just in an acting capacity. There are also some new designers and some old friends come back to play.
We start off the season with a rip-roarin' - hold onto the seat of your pants - 5 stridin' love story - THE JAMMER by Rolin Jones. This show is definitely not for kids, but for folks who like their theatre fast, furious, funny and pretty smutty quite honestly. Actors are: Darryl DeLoach, Kristín Hansen, JB Tuttle, Grace Lapsys, Christopher Gonzales, Jessica Osbourne, Khalid Binnsunni, John Wylie and Matt Heath! This is a co-production with Aux Dog.
We then move to a classic piece - CYRANO - with only 9 actors, lots of swordplay, word puns, romance and major swash with that buckle! If you loved INCORRUPTIBLE, you will adore this show, not only because it is a classic, but because Michael Hollinger, who wrote INCORRUPTIBLE about those wacky monks, is the adaptor! Staci Robbins, our Managing Director who took on TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD last season, directs. Acting Ensemble: Morse Bicknell takes on Cyrano with Brian Haney, Robin Holloway, Katie Becker – Colón, Patricia Thompson, Nicholas Ballas, Kelly O’Keefe, Micah Linford, Matthew Van Wettering and Mark Hisler. Performed at the Tricklock Lab Space!
THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO by Alfred Uhry is such a heartwarming play. It's a peek into the unique world of the Jewish community in Atlanta, just before the US entered WW2. It couldn't be more perfect for the Holiday season. Our director, Steve Barberio, is Head of the Jewish Academy of Arts and Sciences here in Albuquerque. He's also our board president! Performed at the Tricklock Lab Space!
AMERICAN BUFFALO. Mamet. Vic Browder directs two Albuquerque acting heavyweights. We are delighted Paul Ford will finally be seen on the Mother Road stage alongside the amazing Ryil Adamson with newcomer Michael Guajardo. Performed at The Tricklock Lab Space!
We end the season with THE PENELOPIAD. I will be tackling this beast along with some amazing co-conspirators and performers to bring Margaret Atwood’s amazing piece of literature to the stage and air. It’s has everything; music, movement, and aerial silks. It’s all in there. The show will be choreographed on land and air by Debra Landau of Airdance New Mexico. Wendy Scott as Penelope is joined by the incredible Dirty Girls: Lee Kitts, Sheridon K Johnson, Amy Bourque, Jessica Quindlen, Carlyn Wade, Kristín Hansen, Katie Becker – Colón, Stephanie Landers, Katie Chavez, Lauren Myers, Katie Farmin, Bridget Dunne, Alissa Hall, Kate Costello, Kelsey Ann O’Keefe. Performance venue will be announced soon!
Come join us this year at Mother Road. It's our Season of Discovery.
Julia Thudium, Artistic Director - Mother Road Theatre Company